Could they be flea beetles? At least, that's what I call the tiny beetles that ALWAYS eat up the first flowers of my black eyed susans. I never think in time to do anything about them. I think this year I will dust the flowers with Sevin dust and see if that kills them.

Sevin dust will kill bees. They pick it up on their feet and take it back to the hive and it will kill the entire hive. Sevin dust is part of the decline of bees in North America.
If you must use Sevin, and I do understand why it might be necessary, please use Sevin spray. And spray it at dusk. The bees have already gone back to the hive and the spray will be dry by morning. It works the same as the dust.

That said, hollies are bullet proof. I wouldn't worry about anything eating holes on a Holly. They will still be fine.

bumblebeez -- I did not know that Sevin was one of the culprits in the decline of the bee colonies. I'm glad you posted that. (Might be, it would be a good topic to post to everyone...I'll bet there are a lot of folks that aren't aware of it.) I did use the spray, not the dust (although I do have a can of it in the garage and when I get home, I'm bagging and tossing it), and I did use it at dusk. (Not because I knew any better, regarding bees, but because it wasn't windy at the time.) Thank you for the update on Sevin...I did not necessarily want to use it, but I was panicking. The new growth on the hollies is practically black with the things, there are so many of them. As you say, hollies are tough, so I'm not necessarily worried about them succumbing completely. Just that these particular hollies need to grow to become the screen they were designed for.

Have you tried just spraying them with water from the hose a few days in a row? Just knock them off. That is always the first organic attempt to try.

esh_ga -- Yes, it's interesting that you mention that. I actually did try that first, because at first glance, I thought they were all just ants. I had read somewhere that ants on your new growth aren't really hurting the plant...just enjoying the nectar or something. (Can't remember where I read it...) I was in a hurry, I think, and the hose was right there, so I sprayed all three of them really good, but the next morning when I went out, I took a better look, realized it WASN'T ants and that's when I hit them with the Sevin spray. Maybe I should go back out with the hose again?

bumblebeez- right you are about the Sevin dust. I knew that and had forgotten. I'll just keep shaking the plants and mash the beetles when they fall off. The bees are more important than the flowers. But, it just occurred to me, maybe even those tiny beetles in flying from flower to flower do a small part in pollinating, too.

Even those tiny beetles in flying from flower to flower do a small part in pollinating

Absolutely! There are plenty of insects besides bees that contribute to pollination. In some cases, it is a very specialized relationship.

But we can't live without the bees.

mk87, yes I'd try the water approach for several days (maybe even multiple times a day if you're around).

Remember that it is bird nesting season and those mama birds need insects to feed their young. I saw a baby cardinal trying out his/her wings yesterday with mama close by and I was just as proud as she was!

esh_ga -- I am learning SO much from being on this forum...Seriously, between y'all and the Southern Living Garden Book... :) I honestly did not know that you needed to hit them with the water several times. Good info and I will go and do it again right after work and keep trying it.

Reminds me, we had a bird's nest on one of our patio lights right outside our bedroom window. Hubby and I kept saying all winter that we needed to go move it. Then, about a month ago, a new Mom and Dad moved back in and had (at least) one little one. We were annoyed that we hadn't moved the nest, but we did have fun watching them. I am thinking about getting some Martin houses...who else here has done that? Does it really help?

Also in regards to Sevin, if you have to use it, try to only spray the leaves and not the flowers. I have used it before on cannas and would carefully spray down into the rolled leaves. But I don't have cannas anymore, that being the main reason.